"I love the transparency in this vintage of Akarua Pinot Noir. By that I mean I can really see the rugged beauty of our mountain vineyards in the wine. The wild thyme, rosehip and scrubby brambles are so present, as is a perfume of the rocks and bony soils of the mountains. Vine age is really starting to play its part, as the flavours in the fruit reflect a picture of the vineyards in a complex and intriguing way" Winemaker

Deep and bright ruby. Multi-faceted nose of blood plums and red cherries; with star anise, nutmeg and cinnamon; and garrigue - brambles, wild thyme, heather, rosehip and crushed herbs. The palate structure is lithe; the acids are juicy yet taut, and the fine supple tannins lengthen the smoky mineral finish. The flavour spectrum finishes with earthy notes from the vineyards - schist gravels and river pebbles.

An exceptionally warm, dry spring and early summer gave us unusually high early season growth. Extraordinary summer heat brought the whole growing season forward culminating in our earliest harvest on March 1st. In late summer we had record high rainfall with relatively cool daytime temperatures. These cooler temperatures kept disease pressure in check and the fruit delivered to the winery by the vineyard crew was in excellent condition.